Unfortunately I can't say that I'm surprised at the current lay-offs at WOTC. I knew that the end was coming when Hasbro bought WOTC. There is no way that a large corporation could be satisfied with the profits from a company that caters to a small niche market like role playing. By gutting the creative staff at WOTC they have simply made its eventual failure a given. However, with OGL in place, WOTC isn't really needed, and I've read a lot of posts that acknowledge that.
What I'm afraid of is that at some point some middle management empty suit at Hasbro will realize that they are giving something away for free that they could charge for. Before too long the OGL will be pulled and replaced with a license scheme that will demand more than the market will bear in an effort to squeeze every bit of worth out the d20 property. A few established companies will be able be able to afford the license but most of the small fry and all of the start-ups will be priced out of the market. This will effectively end d20 unless Hasbro sells WOTC in whole or in part. I hope I'm wrong but I would bet the farm that I'm not.
What I'm afraid of is that at some point some middle management empty suit at Hasbro will realize that they are giving something away for free that they could charge for. Before too long the OGL will be pulled and replaced with a license scheme that will demand more than the market will bear in an effort to squeeze every bit of worth out the d20 property. A few established companies will be able be able to afford the license but most of the small fry and all of the start-ups will be priced out of the market. This will effectively end d20 unless Hasbro sells WOTC in whole or in part. I hope I'm wrong but I would bet the farm that I'm not.
